But if he could ever break free of her, he would run as fast as he could. She knew it as well as he did.
It was why she held on to him so tightly.
Apollo raked him with a grimace. "Tsoulus.
"
Ash stiffened at the ancient Greek insult. It wasn't the first time he'd been called that. As a human being, he had answered to it defiantly, with a sick kind of glee.
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) The only thing that really hurt was the knowledge that eleven thousand years later, it was every bit as applicable to him as it had been then.
Only now he didn't revel in the title.
Now it cut him soul deep.
Artemis grabbed her brother by the ear and pulled him toward the door. "Get out," she snarled as she shoved him outside and slammed the door.
She turned back to face Acheron.
Ash hadn't moved. The insult still smoldered deep inside him.
"He's an idiot."
Ash didn't bother to contradict her. He agreed completely.
"Simi, take human form."
Simi floated out of his sleeve to manifest beside him. "Yes,akri ?"
"Protect Zarek and Astrid."
"No!" Artemis snapped. "You can't let it go, it might tell Zarek everything that happened."
"Then let her. It's time he understood."
"Understood what? Do you want him to know the truth about you?"
Ash felt a wave go through him and he knew his eyes flashed from silver to red. Artemis stepped back, further proving they had.
"It was the truth aboutyou that I kept from him," Ash said between clenched teeth.
"Was it, Acheron? Was it truly about me or did you erase his memories of that night because you were afraid of what he'd think aboutyou ?"
The wave deepened.
Ash held his hand up to silence Artemis before it was too late and his powers took control of him. It had been too long since he had last fed and he was too volatile to control himself.
If they continued to fight, there was no telling what he might do.
He looked to Simi who waited beside him. "Simi, don't speak to Zarek but make sure Thanatos doesn't kill either one of them."
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"Tell it not to kill Thanatos, too."
Ash started to argue, then stopped. They didn't have time, nor did he have a tight enough grip on himself.
If Thanatos killed Zarek and Astrid, life would be a lot more complicated for everyone.
"Don't kill Thanatos, Simi. Now, go."
"Okay,akri , I'll protect them." Simi vanished.
Artemis narrowed her green eyes at him. "I can't believe you sent it out on its own. It's worse than Zarek and Thanatos combined."
"I have no choice, Artie. Have you given any thought as to what will happen if Astrid dies? How do you think her sisters will react?"
"She can't die unlessthey will it."
"That's not true and you know it. There are some things that not even the Fates have control over. And I assure you that if your mad pet destroys their beloved baby sister, they will demandyour head for it."
Ash didn't have to say anything more than that. Because if Artemis lost her head, then the world as all knew it would change into something truly frightening.
"I'll go talk to the Oracles."
"Yeah, you do that, Artie, and while you're at it, you better think about going after Thanatos yourself and bringing him home."
She curled her lip. "I'm a goddess, not a servant. I fetch for no one."
Ash moved to stand so close to her that barely a hand-breadth separated them. The air between them rippled with their warring powers, with the ferocity of their raw emotions. "Sooner or later, we all have to do things that are beneath us. Remember that, Artemis."
He moved away from her and turned his back.
"Just because you sold yourself so cheaply, Acheron, it doesn't mean I have to."
He froze, his back still to her, as her words ripped through him. They were cruel and harsh. It was on the tip of his tongue to curse her for that.
He didn't and she was damned lucky for his control.
Instead, he spoke calmly, and chose each deliberate word with care. "If I were you, Artie, I would pray
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) that I never get what I truly deserve. But if Thanatos kills Astrid, not evenI will be able to save you."
Chapter 12
Zarek tossed the phone down and stared at Astrid sleeping on his coat. He needed to rest too, but couldn't quite manage it. He was too wound up to sleep.
After closing the trapdoor, he moved toward her pallet.
Memories surged through him.
He saw himself on a rampage. Saw faces and flames. Felt the rage of his anger sizzling through him. He had killed the very people he was supposed to protect.
Had killed…
Evil laughter echoed in his head. A flash of lightning filled the room.
And Ash…
Zarek struggled to remember. Why couldn't he remember what had happened inNew Orleans
?